Software developer nuTonomy has entered into a research and development partnership with the US-based rideshare platform firm Lyft to understand and optimise the end-to-end autonomous vehicle (AV) experience of passengers. 

Under the new partnership, both companies have agreed to combine their technological expertise to gather detailed information on passenger comfort and safety during an AV journey. 

This partnership will focus on various aspects such as routing and booking, driving system performance,  as well as its interaction with the rider.  

nuTonomy CEO and co-founder Karl lagnemma said: "Both companies care immensely about solving urban transportation issues and the future of our cities, and we look forward to working with Lyft as we continue to improve our autonomous vehicle software system."

Research and development efforts will be carried out in Boston, Massachusetts, where nuTonomy has been conducting tests on its self-driving electric cars since the beginning of the year.  

"Both companies care immensely about solving urban transportation issues and the future of our cities."

Tests are being carried out at Raymond L Flynn Marine Park and the adjacent Seaport and Fort Point neighbourhoods in Boston. 

Lyft CEO and co-founder Logan Green said: "The nuTonomy team is one of the first movers in autonomous vehicle development, and we look forward to working with them to bring their autonomous vehicles to the Lyft network."

With its tests in Boston, nuTonomy intends to further enhance the knowledge on AVs. It has been gaining knowledge through road tests and public trials in Singapore since August last year.

By next year, nuTonomy plans to introduce its self-driving mobility-on-demand service in Singapore.

After the initial phase of this partnership, both companies will look at expanding the deal, which will result in additional learning and data about the function, performance and features of autonomous mobility on demand service that could be deployed in cities to tackle challenges in urban driving.